praise

Rating: Null/10 (16 July 2003)

danger! Plot spoilers!

I recently saw Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later here in the U.S., and I think that it is superb. I am not particularly a horror fan, but in a case such as this I would say that categorizing the film by putting it into a specific genre would be like saying 'the middle east has a lot of Muslims.' This movie has a lot of zombies (not to compare them to Muslims), yes, but it also has a lot more than that.
The horror of this movie isn't always the kind where you jump in your seat and then breathe a sigh of relief as you and your girlfriend exchange smiles. It's got some of that, but moreover it's a deep-seated sort of tension, mixed with apocalyptic awe, mixed with a sort of helpless curiosity. Also, there are many interwoven and complex themes running through the course of the film (I could expect no less of Danny Boyle), and not all of them are neatly resolved in the ending. For example, during much of the second half one actually enjoys seeing some of the few surviving humans being ravaged by the zombies. Or: everything is potentially contaminated, and while they are still in what's left of society, all they can eat and drink is junk food and soda, which I thought was interesting.
Technically, I have to mention that the Digital Video suited this film perfectly (to parrot other reviewers); it gave it a very realistic element that went along with everything else I think Boyle is trying to do here. The main characters are complex, interesting, and likeable; and there is a certain amount of romance/sexual tension, appropriate to the context of the film (very instinctual and not overdramatized). The ending is actually not one: Much is left unanswered, but more in a compelling rather than disappointing way. Also, there is some symbolism going on here that leaves one wondering (the color red, the significance of 28 days).
Here is part of a review by someone who didn't like the film:

they don't explain a lot of the plot and they spend too much time with what I like to call "empty film time". "Empty film time" is when they spend time showing a character doing something somewhat pointless or overly ordinary. Such as walking around, eating, up-close views of facial expressions, etc.
If you disagree with this guy, Go see the film! Otherwise, wait till Star Wars 3 comes out.